Beltway Beef on Farm Bill, Water Rule, and Trade

Cindy Zimmerman

The latest episode of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Beltway Beef podcast features comments from the association on all the news that came down last week, including the new water rule and the new farm bill.

Allison Rivera discusses the final 2018 Farm Bill that is on its way to the White House for President Trump’s signature, Scott Yager discusses this week’s rollout of a new and improved water rule, and Kent Bacus reviews NCBA’s testimony on trade with Japan and previews his testimony about efforts to gain access to the European Union.

Beltway Beef is a weekly podcast from NCBA in Washington, D.C., giving an up-to-date summary of top policy initiatives.

AgWired Animal, Audio, Beef, Farm Bill, NCBA

USDA Launches ReConnect Program

Cindy Zimmerman

USDA is offering up to $600 million in loans and grants to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America. Telecommunications companies, rural electric cooperatives and utilities, internet service providers and municipalities may apply for funding through USDA’s new ReConnect Program to connect rural areas that currently have insufficient broadband service.

“High-speed internet e-Connectivity is a necessity, not an amenity, vital for quality of life and economic opportunity, so we hope that today rural communities kick off their rural broadband project planning,” said Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue.

Projects funded through this initiative must serve communities with fewer than 20,000 people with no broadband service or where service is slower than 10 megabits per second (mbps) download and 1 mbps upload. Approved projects must create access speeds of at least 25 mbps download and 3 mbps upload.

“When Congress wrote the 1996 Telecommunications Act, it promised rural America it would one day have broadband Internet service equal to the rest of the country. We’re not quite there, but 25-megabit downloads and 3 megabits up is the sort of speed we’ve been waiting for,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall.

To help customers with the application process, USDA is holding a series of online webinars and regional in-person workshops. The full list of upcoming public webinars and workshops can be found at the ReConnect Program’s resource portal at reconnect.usda.gov.

AFBF, AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Internet, USDA

Ten Years of Ethanol Market Growth

Cindy Zimmerman

Growth Energy is celebrating ten years of advocating for ethanol since it was created in 2008. This edition of the Driving Ethanol podcast is the final installment of our series on the 10 year anniversary of Growth Energy and how the market for U.S. ethanol has grown in the past decade.

When Growth Energy was first formed in 2008, U.S. ethanol exports totaled just 158 million gallons. Last year, the total was 1.37 billion gallons and this year exports had already surpassed that amount by the end of October. Meanwhile, domestic demand has continued to grow and more retailers are starting to offer E15, with higher blends up to E30 positioned to provide the octane needed for more fuel efficient cars in the future.

This podcast includes comments from Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor, Growth Energy Senior Vice President of Global Markets Craig Willis, and President Donald Trump.

Growth Energy Driving Ethanol podcast 12-17-18

Subscribe to the Driving Ethanol podcast

Audio, Ethanol

Animal Ag Bites 12/17

Carrie Muehling

  • The American Feed Industry Association is proud to announce the launch of its new website to better communicate the animal food manufacturing industry’s key legislative and regulatory priorities to policymakers and the public. The revamped, mobile-responsive website will also feature an optimized search function and resource center that allows its roughly 5,500 monthly web visitors quickly find and share content about the animal food industry.
  • Registration is open for the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2019 Stakeholders Summit, themed A Seat At The Table. The event, now in its 18th year, will be held May 8-9 at the InterContinental At The Plaza Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri. Early registration discounts are available through February 1 (pending availability). To register, visit https://www.animalagalliance.org/summit.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Public Lands Council’s government affairs office in Washington, D.C., is accepting internship applications for the Fall 2019 semester. Positions for the Fall semester (Sept. 3, 2019 – Dec. 13, 2019) include a public policy intern and law clerk. The deadline to submit an application for either position is March 15, 2019.
  • Dairy farmers and industry partners gathered in Boise for Dairy West‘s recent annual meeting. The group, formerly known as United Dairymen of Idaho, gave out several awards at the event to honor dairy farmers and industry leaders who have had a significant impact on the dairy community.
AgWired Animal, Animal Bites

Former Agriculture Secretaries Meet

Cindy Zimmerman

Just days after the passing of former Secretary of Agriculture Bob Bergland, four former secretaries met with current Secretary Sonny Perdue to discuss the latest agricultural issues.

Those in attendance included former Secretaries John Block (1981-1986), Dan Glickman (1995-2001), Ann Veneman (2001-2005), and Mike Johanns (2005-2008). The Secretaries discussed several issues including trade, wildfires, agriculture research, infrastructure, cell-based meat, and rural prosperity.

Former Agriculture Secretaries Bob Bergland, John Block, and Clayton Yeutter at 2012 NAFB Convention

The last time the four were together at USDA was in 2012 to celebrate the agency’s 150th anniversary. Three other former secretaries still living are Mike Espy (1993-1994), Ed Schafer (2008-2009), and Tom Vilsack (2009-2017). Espy recently lost his bid to replace retiring Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran in a high profile runoff election.

Bergland, a Minnesota farmer who served as secretary under President Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1981 died December 9 at the age of 90. He also served as vice president and general manager of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association until he retired in 1992.

In 2012, Bergland joined former secretaries Block and Yeutter at the NAFB Convention. Enjoy his opening comments here – Former ag secretary Bob Bergland at 2012 NAFB

2012 NAFB Convention Photo Album

AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, NAFB, USDA

USFRA Announces New Chair, Board Members, and Podcast

Cindy Zimmerman

Maryland crop farmer Chip Bowling, representing National Corn Growers Association, is the new chair for the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) elected last month at the coalition fall board meeting along with new executive committee and board members.

Bowling, who is the fourth chairman of the group, is joined by a new executive committee:
• Vice Chair: Scott VanderWal, American Farm Bureau Federation
• Treasurer: Blair Van Zetten, American Egg Board
• Secretary: Anne Meis, representing Nebraska Soybean Board
• At-Large: Jennifer Houston, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
• At-Large Premier: Michael Parrish, Bayer
• Immediate Past Chairman: Brad Greenway, National Pork Board

USFRA also added two new members to its 15 member board – Joe Koss, president and chief executive officer of Culver’s Franchising System and Brody Stapel, President of Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative.

In addition, USFRA introduced a new “Farm, Food, Facts” podcast for food retailers, sustainability supply chain leaders and food trade media. The podcast, hosted by SupermarketGuru Phil Lempert, discusses top stories about today’s food.

AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, USFRA

Praise for Farm Bill Soil Carbon Pilot Program

Cindy Zimmerman

Several organizations are pleased that the new farm bill includes a climate-friendly soil carbon pilot program.

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) thank the Farm Bill conferees for including language in the 2018 Farm Bill to establish an Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) pilot program to promote and document the benefits of farming practices which improve soil health.

“This new EQIP provision provides the tools to incentivize farmers to adopt smart soil management practices that improve soil health to increase drought resiliency, improve nutrient utilization, and enhance soil carbon sequestration,” said Keith Alverson, South Dakota farmer and NCGA board member.

“The economic value farmers can receive from being properly credited for their ability to sequester carbon and participate in low carbon fuel markets and for other climate policies is significant,” said Brian Jennings, ACE CEO. “ACE is committed to fostering the development of these low carbon market opportunities that also increase income to farmers and rural America.”

ACE, AgWired Precision, Corn, Ethanol, NCGA

Zimfo Bytes 12/14

Carrie Muehling

  • IDEAg Group LLC announces that the Northern Illinois Farm Show will take place Jan. 9-10 at the NIU Convocation Center. The event will feature approximately 100 companies showcasing the latest innovations available to farmers in the Midwest.
  • The National Corn Growers Association has promoted Fred Stemme to Chief Operating Officer of the organization. Previously, the Vice President of Marketing and Development, he leads a nine-member team responsible for accounting, administration, diversity, facilities, fundraising, grassroots advocacy, human resources, IT, industry relations, leadership training, membership recruitment, retention and services, organizational meetings and state relations.
  • The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) announced the 2018 recipients of its annual Advocates Program awards, which recognize an outstanding commitment by AEM members to industry advocacy efforts through AEM’s national grassroots campaign I Make America.
  • The Minnesota AgriGrowth Council announced Tamara Nelsen as its new Executive Director. Nelsen will assume her new role effective February 1, 2019.
  • The St. Louis Agribusiness Club is seeking 2018 candidates for AgriBusiness Leader of the Year and AgriBusiness Club Outstanding Member. Nominations are due by December 21, 2018, electronically to: Shane Jones, Past President (shanejonessj@gmail.com).
  • Kubota Tractor Corporation announced the appointment of Mr. Haruyuki (Harry) Yoshida as the new President and CEO of Kubota Tractor Corporation and Kubota North America, based in Grapevine, Texas, effective January 1, 2019.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture announces plenary speakers for the 2019 Agricultural Outlook Forum, to be held Feb. 21–22, 2019, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Va. The 2019 forum is themed “Growing Locally, Selling Globally.” The opening plenary session will feature keynote remarks from U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, welcoming comments from Deputy Secretary Steve Censky, and “The 2019 Economic Outlook for Agriculture” presented by USDA Chief Economist Robert Johansson.
  • The 3rd annual Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit will focus on Shaping Farm and Food Policy Strategies for 2040. It is scheduled for March 18, 2019, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
  • Four Sorghum Checkoff board directors were sworn in during the board meeting in Lubbock, Texas, Dec. 10-12, 2018. Returning to the board are Boyd Funk of Garden City, Kansas; Craig Poore of Alton, Kansas; and Jim Massey of Robstown, Texas. Newly appointed to the board is Adam Schindler of Reliance, South Dakota.
  • This year’s adverse weather and increased cotton acres may mean it’s taking longer to get your cotton ginned. USDA’s Farm Service Agency offers seed cotton recourse loans to provide interim financing.
Zimfo Bytes

BASF Looks Forward to 2019 Growing Season

Carrie Muehling

BASF continues to educate growers about one of the newest products available for the 2019 growing season in LibertyLink GT27. The new technology will offer tolerance to three different herbicide groups: Liberty, glyphosate and HPPD, pending approval.

“Because it’s the first technology that you can use Liberty and glyphosate with, it really allows them to address a broad range of weed species – both broadleafs and grasses – that allows them to really have the best tool on the market to address their issues,” said Jody Wynia, U.S. Soybean Licensing Lead for BASF.

Wynia said LibertyLink GT27 is a strong tool when it comes to driver weeds like marestail, waterhemp and Palmer amaranth.

Hear more in Chuck’s interview with Jody: Interview with Jody Wynia, BASF


BASF at 2018 ASTA CSS and Seed Expo

2018 ASTA CSS and Seed Expo photos

AgWired Precision, ASTA, Audio, BASF, Herbicide, Video

Conaway Pleased with Final Farm Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

Passage of the 2018 Farm Bill is a “big deal for rural America” and for House Agriculture Committee chairman Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX), who loses his chairmanship next month when the Democrats take the majority in the House.

After the House voted 386-47 to pass the conference report and send the bill to the president, Conaway released a video talking about the importance of it and how pleased he was to be able to complete a farm bill as chairman.

“You really can’t lay claim to being chairman of House Ag unless you’ve done a farm bill. For me personally, it’s a sense of accomplishment,” said Conaway. “…it is a big deal and a good Christmas present for each and every person in rural America, and that’s who I have been fighting for.”

Conaway held a press conference Thursday morning to talk about the new legislation – Rep. Conaway press conference remarks on farm bill


AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Audio, Farm Bill, Video